April is usually the month in the year when I start to remember why I became a tour guide in the first place. The weather gets better, the days get longer and there is just more things to do. I also notice that the general mood of people in Ireland really starts to improve this time of year too.
April is also the time of the year when people in Ireland start to celebrate more of their history. If you choose to come to Ireland in April, you will find way more than you were expecting. However, you should also know that the bad weather is far from over. There are still things to look out for…
The Pros and Cons of Visiting Ireland in April
April is one of the best times to visit Ireland. Spring will be well under way by this stage, the days will be getting longer and the locals will be itching to get out and about to explore their country! You might as well join them.
There are a few downsides to doing that however. If you want to visit Ireland in April, you will have to be prepared for things like the weather and reduced opening hours in certain locations. Make sure to plan ahead.
| Pros | Cons |
| Milder Weather | Unpredictable Weather |
| Fewer Crowds | Limited Opening Hours |
| Festivals and Events | Higher Prices |
The Pros of Visiting Ireland in April
- Mild Weather: April is when us people living in Ireland really start to notice the weather improving. Its this time of year that you’re going to find plenty of people out in their shorts and t-shirts, even if the weather wouldn’t suit these outfits in other countries!
- Fewer Crowds: Easter is one of the most popular times of the year for visitors to Ireland and you will start to see the crowds arrive in earnest this month. However, they are not going to be nearly as big as later on in the year.
- Festivals and Events: You will be spoilt for choice for things to do in Ireland in April. There are going to be festivals and events all over the country this month. Even if you don’t want to go to any of these, this is the month where most places will start to open their full hours for the coming season.
The Cons of Vising Ireland in April
- Unpredictable Weather: Even though the weather in April is mild, it is not without its negatives. This is one of the wettest months of the year in Ireland. You might leave your hotel in the morning seeing sunshine and then get drenched an hour later in the rain.
- Limited Opening Hours: While most establishments and attractions will have opened to their full high season hours by the end of this month, some might not. Also, it will generally take some time for things to start ramping up over the course of the month.
- Higher Prices: This isn’t peak tourist season, so you won’t find the highest of prices in Ireland during the month of April. Things will still start to get expensive however. Make sure to budget and plan ahead for a trip to Ireland, pretty much from April till the end of the year.
April Weather in Ireland
In April, the average temperature in Ireland is around 8°C – 10°C (46°F – 50°F), but temperatures can fluctuate between 5°C (41°F) to 15°C (59°F). The average rainfall will usually be between 52mm – 100mm(2-4in).
The weather in April will start to improve, especially when compared to the previous months. But you will definitely still need to bring a rain jacket with you at the very least. However, you might start to see things like “sunshine” more frequently this time of year. So bring sunblock too!
If you are traveling around Ireland, you should note that the western parts of the country are generally wetter, cooler and windier than the more inland areas. The eastern parts of Ireland usually have the mildest weather in the country.
I have already gone into far more detail about the Irish weather in this article, linked here.
What to Pack for Ireland in April
This is the time of year when you will need to pack for multiple eventualities. I have met plenty of visitors to Ireland that came here expecting the worst and never used half of the clothes and layers that they brought. But I think they still did the right thing.
It can be easy to come to Ireland well under-prepared for the weather this time of year. You will need to pack for multiple eventualities including rain, sun and maybe even the occasional storm.
Some of the most vital things to pack for Ireland in April are as follows:
- Waterproof Jacket/ Coat: This is an essential for any time of the year in Ireland. There are plenty of different, lightweight, outer layers that you can keep in your backpack, just in case of an emergency.
- Layers: This is one of the most common and important pieces of advise people will hear when they are preparing to visit Ireland. With the changeable weather, you will be taking layers off and on all day. Layer up!
- Comfortable Shoes: As a tour guide, I have learned that one of the most important things anyone can buy is a good pair of walking shoes. Keep yourself comfortable so you will be able to go for longer and see more on your trip.
I have a lot more advice, linked here, about what to focus on when packing for your trip to Ireland.
Events and things to Do in Ireland in April
With the change in the weather, you will find plenty of events all over the country this month. From religious occasions to food festivals, there should be something to do to suit everyone. Even if you don’t want to book something in advance, there will be countless things to do that will be great during April.
Easter
Easter is one of the most important times of the year in Ireland for a variety of different reasons and it often takes place in April.
Most obviously, it is a religious festival and the most important time of the year in the Christian calendar. Even though Ireland has secularized a lot in the last generation, there are still plenty of practicing Christians.
Many people here will go to mass or other services and participate in events like lent. Once this period of fasting is over however, many locals will like to get out and celebrate.
Easter also marks a very important historical event in Irish history. The Easter rising was the last failed rebellion against British rule in Ireland and it set off a chain reaction of events that let to Irish independence in 1922.
In Ireland we tend not to celebrate our independence day as much as other former colonies. Independence for us let to partition on the island, which actually caused a civil war here. The big patriotic moment in our history is therefore the Easter Rising.
Explore Irish Nature
April is one of the best times of the year to explore the countryside in Ireland. Before the crowds start to creep back in, you will practically have the place to yourself, and all of the locals, obviously.
There are plenty of places where you will be able to explore Irish nature, just from Dublin alone. This is especially useful to visitors who are only going to be in Ireland for a few days. I always try to tell people not to feel like they have to see everything on the one trip to Ireland!
Where to Go in Ireland in April
There are far too many places for you to visit in Ireland in a year, let alone just one month. But, April offers you the chance to explore some of the best parts of the country before the crowds arrive and just as things are getting going for the tourist season.
Dublin
I know that I always go on about visiting Dublin, but there really is so much to do here, no matter what time of the year you visit. April however is a particularly great time to visit. You will be able to avoid most of the busier parts of the year and will be able to properly beat the crowds coming here this month.
Some of the best things to do in Dublin are:
- Museums: With the unpredictable weather, the many museums in Dublin really come in handy. The National Archeology Museum is one of my favorites, but Collins Barracks and the Dead Zoo are also excellent.
- Take a walking tour: This is actually my main job in tourism. I give people walking tours throughout the city. There are a number of great walking tour companies here, with excellent guides that will help you explore this fair city.
- Visit a brewery: I know that there are plenty of negative stereotypes about the Irish and alcohol. But there are some excellent brewery and alcohol related tours in the city, I have gone over some of the best in my recommendations list here.
The Wild Atlantic Way
If you want to see the full Wild Atlantic Way on the west coast of Ireland, it will probably take you years to do it. But there are still plenty of things that you might want to see on the beautiful west coast of Ireland in April.
Some of the best things to see on the Wild Atlantic Way in April are:
- The Cliffs of Moher: One of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland is an absolutely breathtaking 15km of cliffs. If you come here later in the year, you will see plenty of tourists. So try to get out earlier in the season.
- The Dingle Peninsula: This is one of my personal favorite places in all of Ireland. The scenery here is stunning and you will be able to explore it all from the picturesque village of Dingle itself.
FAQs About Visiting Ireland in April
Here are some of the frequently asked questions I get about visiting Ireland in the month of April:
What is the weather like in Ireland in April?
In April, the weather in Ireland is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 8°C to 14°C. However, it can be quite unpredictable, so it’s best to pack for all types of weather.
What should I pack for a trip to Ireland in April?
You should pack layers of clothing, as the weather can be unpredictable. It’s also a good idea to prioritize a raincoat rather than an umbrella, as wind is as common as rain in Ireland. Comfortable shoes are a must if you plan to do some hiking or exploring.
Are there any special Easter traditions in Ireland?
Yes, Easter is an important holiday in Ireland, and there are several traditions associated with it. One of the most popular is the Easter Rising commemoration, which marks the anniversary of the 1916 rebellion against British rule. Many towns and cities hold parades, ceremonies, and other events to honor the occasion.
